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Japan
Things to do in Toshima
4,071 attractions · Japan
Photo: Akonnchiroll, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kanto, Japan · 35.658, 139.701
About Toshima
Toshima is a high-density special ward located in the heart of Tokyo, serving as a major transportation and commercial hub for the metropolis. The district is defined by the Ikebukuro terminal, which handles one of the highest daily passenger volumes in the world. Visitors can easily reach cultural landmarks from here, including the scenic paths of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden [31769] or the iconic Shibuya Crossing [1317120]. It functions as a nexus between northern Tokyo's residential character and the intense urban energy of neighboring districts like the Imperial Palace [31803] area.
Good to know
- 1
Toshima hosts the Tokiwaso Manga Museum, a reconstruction of the apartment building where legendary manga artists like Osamu Tezuka once lived and worked.
- 2
The ward has officially declared itself a 'City of International Culture and Art' to promote its focus on anime and digital media industry growth.
- 3
Toshima was the first municipality in Japan to declare an 'SDGs Future City' initiative, prioritizing aggressive carbon-neutral goals for urban redevelopment.
- 4
Despite its dense urban nature, the ward successfully eliminated its registered 'waiting list' for childcare services through extensive infrastructure investment.
Plan your visit to Toshima
Best time to visit
March to May for cherry blossom season or October to November for mild, dry weather and autumn foliage.
How many days
2-3 days, providing enough time to explore local neighborhood hubs and utilize the primary train lines to reach major city landmarks.
Getting around
The area is serviced by the JR Yamanote Line and multiple subway lines, making it highly accessible via rail, with many localized districts being extremely walkable.
Where to stay
Staying near Ikebukuro Station offers the best convenience for rail travel, while quieter residential pockets in southern Toshima provide a more local experience.
Budget
Tokyo is a mid-to-high range destination where accommodation costs vary significantly by proximity to major train stations.
Highlights of Toshima
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Walk through a traditional landscape garden that blends Japanese, English, and French horticultural styles.
Shibuya Sky
Access an open-air observation deck providing 360-degree views of the Tokyo skyline from over 200 meters high.
Imperial Palace
Explore the historic site of the former Edo Castle surrounded by moats and massive stone walls.
Shibuya Crossing
Experience the world's busiest pedestrian scramble intersection at the heart of Tokyo's youth culture.
Hachiko Statue
Visit the meeting point dedicated to the loyal Akita dog known for waiting daily at the station.
Zojo-ji
Discover a centuries-old Buddhist temple featuring a striking contrast against the modern Tokyo Tower backdrop.
Shiba Park
Relax in a public park that offers views of the Zojo-ji Temple and the iconic Tokyo Tower.
The National Art Center, Tokyo
Browse one of Japan's largest art exhibition spaces showcasing rotating contemporary and international works.
Top things to do in Toshima
The 4,071 most popular places in Toshima.
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241
Temples Known locally
Meiji Jingu Kaguraden
The Meiji Jingu Kaguraden is the dedicated hall within the Meiji Jingu shrine complex specifically designed for performi...
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242
Places of interest Known locally
Nijubashi Bridge
Nijubashi Bridge is the iconic stone and iron entrance crossing the inner moat of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. The structu...
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243
Museums Known locally
Japanime Art Gallery Harajuku
Japanime Art Gallery Harajuku is a specialized exhibition space located in the heart of Shibuya, focusing on the interse...
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244
Museums Known locally
Gotoh Museum
The Gotoh Museum is a private art museum located in Setagaya City, Tokyo, established by railway magnate and politician...
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245
Places of interest Known locally
Seaside Top Observatory
The Seaside Top Observatory is located on the 40th floor of the World Trade Center Building in Hamamatsucho, Tokyo. It o...
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246
Temples Known locally
Koyasan Tokyo Betsuin
Koyasan Tokyo Betsuin is an official branch temple of the head temple Kongobuji on Mount Koya, serving as the Shingon Bu...
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247
Venues Known locally
池袋演芸場
Ikebukuro Engeijo is one of Tokyo's four primary yose theaters dedicated to rakugo, a traditional Japanese art of comic...
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248
Museums Known locally
Yayoi Museum
The Yayoi Museum is a private art museum in Bunkyo City dedicated to the preservation of early 20th-century Japanese ill...
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249
Amusement parks Known locally
TOKYO TRICK ART MUSEUM
The Tokyo Trick Art Museum is an indoor optical illusion gallery located within the Decks Tokyo Beach shopping complex....
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250
Museums Known locally
National Film Archive of Japan
The National Film Archive of Japan serves as the country’s primary institution for the preservation and study of cinemat...
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251
Venues Known locally
Setagaya Public Theatre
Setagaya Public Theatre is a prominent performing arts venue located within the Carrot Tower complex in Sangenjaya. The...
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252
Parks Known locally
Otomeyama Park
Otomeyama Park is a designated historical site located on a hill formerly known as a hunting ground for the Tokugawa Sho...
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253
Places of interest Known locally
Ikefukurou
Ikefukurou is a subterranean stone owl monument serving as a prominent meeting point within the Ikebukuro district of To...
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254
Temples Known locally
Masjid Nusantara - Akihabara Tokyo
Masjid Nusantara Akihabara is a community-focused mosque situated on the fifth floor of the Sanbai Building in the Kanda...
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255
Museums Known locally
Minato City Local History Museum
The Minato City Local History Museum is housed within the former Institute of Public Health, a striking example of early...
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256
Places of interest Known locally
Rainbow Bridge Promenade
The Rainbow Bridge Promenade is a pedestrian walkway spanning the 798-meter suspension bridge that connects the Shibaura...
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257
Venues Known locally
Roppongi Hills Arena
Roppongi Hills Arena is a versatile, semi-outdoor event space located at the heart of the Roppongi Hills complex in Toky...
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258
Venues Known locally
Aoyama St. Grace Cathedral
Aoyama St. Grace Cathedral is a premier wedding venue designed in a neo-Gothic architectural style, located in the Kita-...
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259
Places of interest Known locally
Mag's Park Rooftop Shibuya Crossing
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260
Playgrounds Known locally
Edogawa Park
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261
Museums Known locally
Watarium Art Museum
The Watarium Art Museum is a private institution founded in 1990, dedicated to contemporary art through experimental and...
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262
Historical places Known locally
Kiyomasa's Well
Kiyomasa's Well is a historic spring-fed water source located within the Meiji Jingu Gyoen (Inner Garden) of Tokyo. The...
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263
Venues Known locally
Theater Green
Theater Green is a multi-venue performing arts facility in Ikebukuro, Toshima, featuring three distinct stages: Main The...
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264
Museums Known locally
Space Travelium TeNQ
Space Travelium TeNQ is a space-themed interactive museum located in the Tokyo Dome City Yellow Building. The facility f...
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265
Parks Known locally
Ninomaru Garden
Ninomaru Garden is located within the East Garden of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, occupying the site of the former second...
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266
Museums Known locally
Hasegawa Machiko Memorial Museum of Art
The Hasegawa Machiko Memorial Museum of Art honors the legacy of the creator of Sazae-san, Japan's longest-running anima...
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267
Museums Known locally
Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum
The Soseki Natsume Memorial Museum is located on the site of the writer's final residence, known as the 'Soseki Sanso' o...
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268
Museums Known locally
Min-on Music Museum
The Min-on Music Museum houses a significant collection of classical musical instruments and historical sound recording...
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269
Temples Known locally
Denzuin
Denzuin, also known as Muryozan Denzu-in Shogen-ji, is a prominent temple in Bunkyo, Tokyo, deeply linked to the Tokugaw...
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270
Parks Known locally
Higashi-Shinagawa Kaijo Park
Higashi-Shinagawa Kaijo Park is a linear waterfront green space situated along the banks of the Tennozu Canal in Tokyo....
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Toshima on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Toshima?
Aventuro lists 4,071 curated attractions in and around Toshima, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Toshima?
Tokyo Tower is the most popular place to visit in Toshima right now.
What kind of attractions does Toshima have?
The largest category is temples, with 1,062 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Osaka, Kyoto, Ōta, Tokyo.
